In a low-scoring affair Saturday afternoon, the No. 7 Virginia women’s lacrosse team began its 2015 season with a 6-5 loss to No. 5 Northwestern in Kennesaw, Georgia. The Cavaliers (0-1) have now lost in their last seven meetings with the Wildcats (2-0).
With three minutes left in the game and the score tied at five, Northwestern sophomore midfielder Sheila Nesselbush scored the go-ahead goal on a man-up free position shot. Nesselbush was one of three Northwestern players to score two goals.
Virginia got on the scoreboard first, winning the opening draw and scoring nine seconds later. After another Virginia goal two minutes later, Northwestern came back with three goals in a span of five minutes to take a 3-2 lead. Neither team would score for the remaining 19:17 of the half.
Northwestern ended the scoring drought with two goals in the first seven minutes of the second half. But the Cavaliers, led by sophomore attacker Kelly Reese, scored three goals in the next seven minutes to tie the game with 15:16 remaining. Reese had two of those goals to lead the Cavaliers in scoring for the day.
Before Nesselbush’s game-winner, Virginia had three chances to retake the lead, but Northwestern senior goalkeeper Bridget Bianco stood strong, saving five of Virginia’s second-half shots.
Virginia won the draw control battle 9-4 and finished the game 2-6 on free position shots. The Cavaliers only picked up two ground balls in comparison to the Wildcats’ 12.
The Cavaliers return to action Wednesday when they face Richmond on the road. The game is scheduled to start at 5 p.m.
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